Storexservice  apparatus



(No Model.) 3 SheetSf-Shet 1. S. W. BARR.

STORE SERVICE ABPARATUS.

Patented Oct. 22,1889

n PD'ERS, mumnm r. wammun,

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

s. W. BARR.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

No. 413,476. Patented Oct 22,1889.

FIG .1.

FIG iV FIG .vn- O 63 Y M 0 5'2 I, l 49 /4L9 4 V #9 0 A FIG |.x .24 FIGVIH may? 29 63 a0 30 N PETERS Phuloblbograpber. Washingmn. DJ;

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 8.

s. BARR.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

No. 413,476. Patented 001;. 22, 1889.

Fl 6. XIII; r F] e xv- Fl e xvm n, PETERS. Phowumn mr. Wahinghm u cUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL W. BARR, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

STORE- SERVICE-APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 413,476, dated October22, 1889. Application filed April 4, 1889. Serial No. 1305,9 28. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that 1, SAMUEL W. BARR, a citizen ofthe United States, and aresident of Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Store-Service Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to afford the merchant a simple anddurable carrier apparatus which will notbe liable to get out of order.

My invention relates to a gravity package carrier apparatus forstore-service; and my improvement consists in the construction of saidapparatus, as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In order that my invention may be fully understood,I will proceed todescribe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure I is a perspective view of the apparatus, showing three stations,the construction being similar at each station. Fig. II is a perspectiveview of the tubular support, showing the cushioning-sprin g and thecarrier-elevator thereon. Fig. III is a side view of a carrier. Fig. IVis an end view thereof. Fig. V is a top View of a carrienelevator hook.Fig. V1 is a rear view thereof. Fig. VII is a side view of the same.Fig. VIII is a side view of the T-block on the carrier which is engagedby the carrier-elevator hook. Fig.

' IX is a side View of a skeleton sleeve for turning or guiding thecarrier-elevator sleeve. Fig. X is an end view of a carrier, showing amodified form of the lifting-block. Fig. XI is a side view of a modifiedform of liftinghook on the carrier-elevator. Fig. XII is a rear Viewthereof. Fig. XIII is a top View of an arm supporting the upper trackwire. Fig. XIV is a side view thereof, the parts being separated. Fig.XV is a top view of an arm supporting the lower track-wire. Fig. XVI isa side View thereof. Fig. XVII is a front view of the same. Fig. XVIIIis a top view of the carrier-elevator.

1 2 are two arms of a Ushaped tube or a pair of pipes secured to anddepending from a ceiling or overhead floor, forming cylindrical supportsfor upper track-wire 3 and lower track-wire at, respectively inclined inopposite directions and leading from and to the salesclerks station, andto and from the wrap ping-counter. The ends of the tube or pipes arejoined by a bend 5. These supports are placed at intervals along theline where a station is desirable, and the space between the arms of thetube or pipesis sufiicient to allow a bundle or basket to pass freely.The track wires are stretched tight and may be either straight orcurved. In the drawings I have shown three stations. The uppertrack-wire 3 is supported on arms 6, secured to and ad justable on thetube or pipe 1 by means of a collar 7, surrounding the tube or pipe, andheld at the desired height by means of a set screw 8. Each arm 6 iswidened at the outer end, and the point 9 is beveled. A small piece 10of tin or other suitable material is wrapped around the wire and held tothe arm by means of a washer 11, preferably square in form, and a smallbolt, screw, or rivet 12.

13 is an arm for supporting the lower track: wire 4, secured to andadjustable on the tube or pipe 1. This arm is longer than the arm of theupper wire, andis provided with a collar 14, surrounding thetube or pipe1, and is held at the desired height by means of a 'setscrew 15.

of dilferent heights, the finger 16 being lower than the finger 17 tomaintain a depression 18 in the traclewire at each station. Thisdepression or bend in the track-wire is a little more than the depth ofthe'fianges of the wheels of the carrier, so that the truck or frame ofthe carrier may be carried off the screws, or rivets 12 passed throughthe fin gers and suitable washers 11, as shown.

23 is a forked bar hinged near the top of the arm 1 to a collar 24:,surrounding the latter and adjustable thereon, and secured in desiredposition by means of a set-screw 25.

The baris supported in inclined position and is employed for releasingthe carrier. Fit

ting around the upper end of the arm 2, and secured adj ustably theretoby means of a set screw 27, is a skeleton sleeve 26, formed with aprojecting lug 28, longitudinal opening or channel 29, and beveledportion 30, providing a flaring opening leading to the longitudinalopening or channel. This flaring opening forms a guide to the channel.-

31 is a pulley having swiveled support 32 on the lug. Free to slide onthe arm 2 is a carrier-elevator 33, having a projecting arm 34 and anupwardly-extendin g sten135, formed with a projecting lug 36. To thislug an elevating rope, cord, or chain 37 is secured, and from thencepassed over the pulley to a point beneath in a convenient position forhandling, the ends of the rope, cord, or chain ex tending downward oneach side of the arm 2. The carrier elevator 33 is further provided witha longitudinal notch 38.

Rigidly secured to the lower portion of the arm 2 is alongitudinal strip39 of iron or other suitable material. This strip occupies the notch 38,so as to form a guide for the carrierelevator from and to the seat forthe latter, the strip extending upward to a point above the lowertrack-wire. I

Around the lower end of the arm 1, just above the bend 5, is a flange orcollar 40, forming a seat for a cushioning-spring 41, coiled around thebend and forming a support or spring-seat for the carrier-elevator.

Referring to the modification shown in Fig. II, the strip 39 may beformed with teeth 42 at the lower end. To the carrier-elevator 33 ishinged a dog or pawl 43, carrying at its upper enda ring 44, having anupwardly-extending stem 45, formed with a projecting eye-lug 46 andconforming in shape to the stem 35 and lug 36 of the carrier elevator.The dog or pawl is adapted to engage the teeth in the strip when thering is in its normal position. of the cord, rope, or chain is passedthrough -the eye-lug 36and engaged with the eye-lug 46 beneath. hen-therope, cord, or chain is pulled to raise the carrier-elevator, the stem45 is first lifted and disengages the pawl by swinging the latteroutward. WVhen the carrier-elevator drops on the spring, the latter iscompressed, and the dog or pawl automatically engaging the teeth therebound of the spring is prevented. Pivoted to the arm 34 of thecarrier-elevator is a bar or lever 47, formed with a catch or projection48 in front at its upper end.

49 is a carrier-elevator hook provided with curved prongs 50, havingrearwardly-inclined teeth 51, and with a cross-bar 52,having an eye 53.

54 is a pivot-pin, by which the hook-eye is 1 connected with the lowerend of the lever or hook.

In this modification the endthe teeth of the prongs of thecarrier-elevator In Fig. VIII, I show the center of the block cut away.The block is graded to suit the carrier-elevator hook, and the neck isincreased in thickness from one-eighth of an inch by eighths to twoinches or more. The difference between blocks of one-eighth of an inchis deemed sufficient, yet the difference may be more or less. The spacebetween the prongs of the hooks also increases by one-eighth of an inchto two inches or more, and therefore the carrier-elevator hook isadapted to catch and hold the carrier, having a block formed with a neckadapted to fit the carrier-elevator hook. A carrier-elevator hook withprongs two inches Wide would allow all the carrier to pass it, exceptthe carrierhaving a block formed with a neck two inches wide. By thisarrangement each carrier will be stopped at the station to which itbelongs.

In Fig. X, I show a substitute for the T- block 63 in the form of acrossbar 65,having a hook or staple 66.

Referring to Figs. XI and XII, I show a carrier elevator hook 67, havinga single prong 68, formed with teeth 69 and adapted to catch the hook orstaple 66. The position of the hook on the block and the position of theprong on the carrierelevator hook may be varied along their respectivebars. The hook on the block and the prong on the carrier-elevator hookbeing in the same position along their bars, the carrier is caught bythe single prong at the station to which it belongs. After going throughthe changes of position on one plane the hook 66 and prong 68 can beraised to a higher plane and go through the same changes. The samechanges are also possible with the two-prong or double hook. Thesevarious changes are indefinite and make it possible to have any numberof stations along a single track.

The carrier operates as will now be dedescribed. At the three stationsshown the carrier is seen in as many different positions. At theleftfhand station the carrier is down within reach of the sales-clerk.At the middle station the carrier is caught by the elevator-hook. At theright-hand station the carrier is on the upper track, ready to start onits mission. In sending a carrier to the wrapping-counter thesales-clerk pulls the rope, cord, or chain which runs over the pulleynear the top of the arm 2 and draws the carrier-elevator and carrier uptill the stem touches the beveled portion 30 of the sleeve 26 and,entering the flaring opening, is guided into the longitudinal opening orchannel 29, when the forked bar 23 engages the catch or projection 48 onthe lever 47 and tilts the carrier over the upper track-wire. Then byslackening the rope, cord, or chain the carrier moves off and thecarrier-elevator descends to rest on the top of the strip 39 in positionto catch the carrier when it is returned. It is caught by the hook andits momentum turns the carrier-elevator until the longitudi nal notch 38in the latter comes to a position over the strip 39, when the carrierand carrier-elevator drop on the spring 41. In this last operation thecarrier-elevator and carrier rotates nearly a half-circle before itdrops.

I do not confine myself to the particular construction described in thisapparatus, as some of the parts may need slight change or modificationto perfect the apparatus, and as I feel able to make whatever change maybe necessary to complete it I reserve the right to do so.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as newtherein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of the supporting-arm 1, the track-Wire 4, and thearm 13, secured to the supporting-arm and having fingers 16 and 17 ofdifferent heights for maintaininga depressi'on 18 in the track-wire,substantially as described.

2. The combination of the supporting-arm 1, track-wire 4, and the arm13, having the adjustable collar 14 and set-screw 15, and formed withfingers 16 and 17 of different height for maintaining a depression18 inthe track-wire, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the supporting-arm 2, the carrier-elevator havinglever 47, pro:

' vided with projection 48, and the tilting forked bar 23, hinged to thearm, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the supporting-arm 2, the carrier-elevator havinglever 47, provided with projection 48, the adjustable collar 24, havingset-serew 25, and the tilting forked bar 23, hinged to the collar,substantially as described.

5. The combination of the supporting-arm 2, the sleeve 26, securedthereto, having projecting lug 28, longitudinal channel 29, and beveledportion 30, providing a flaring opening leading to the channel, and thepulley 31, having swiveled support 32 on the lug, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination of the supporting-arm 2, the carrier-elevator 33 freeto slide thereon, having a projecting arm 34 and an upwardlyextendingstem 35, formed with a lug 36, the lever 47 and the hook 49,substantially as described.

7. The combination of the cylindrical support, having thelongitudinalstrip 39 extending upward to a point above the lower track- Wire, thecarrier-elevator 33, having a longitudinal notch 38, means for elevatingthe carrierelevator, and means for turning the latter above the strip,substantially as described.

8. The combination of the U-shaped support having arms 1 and 2 and bend5 between the arms, the collar 40 on one arm, and the cushioning-spring41, coiled around the bend, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the supporting-arms 1 and 2, having the bond 5,the flange 40, the

longitudinal notch 38, substantially as described.

10. The combination of the supporting-arm 2, the cushioning-spring 41,the longitudinal strip 39, having teeth 42, the carrier-elevator 33,having a longitudinal notch 38, and the pawl 43, hinged to thecarrier-elevator, hav' ing a ring 44, provided with an upwardlyextendingstem 45, having a lug 46, substantially as described.

11. The combination of the supporting-arm 2, the cushioning-spring 41,the longitudinal strip 39, having teeth 42, the carrier-elevator 33,having a longitudinal notch 38, and an upwardly-extending arm 35, formedwith a lug 36, and the pawl 43, hinged to the carrierstrip 39, havingteeth 42, the carrier-elevator.

33, having a longitudinal notch 38, and an up wardly-extending stem 35,formed with a lug 3 6, and the pawl 43, hinged to the carrier-ele-.

vator having a ring 44, provided with an upwardly-extending stem 45,formed with a lug 46, substantially as described.

13. Thecombination of acarrier-frame 55,:

having grooved wheels 56, pendenthook 5,7,.

and cheek-plates 58, the block connected with the cheek-plates, and theycarrier-elevator having a hook, substantially as described.

IOU.

: 14. Thecombination of the carrier-elevator 33, having a projecting arm34, the lever 47, pivoted to the arm formed with a projection 48, andthe hook, substantially as described.

15. The combination of the carrier-elevator having a projecting arm34,,the lever 47, and the hook 49, formed with curved prongs IIO 50,having rearWardly-proj ectin g teeth 51, and

the cross-bar 52, having an eye 53, by which it is pivoted to the lowerend of the lever, substantially as described.

16. The combination of the carrier-elevator 33, having a projecting ar1n34,. the lever 47,

pivoted to the arm formed with a projection 48, and the tilting hingedforked arm 23, sub

stantially as described.

17. The combination of the carrier-elevator 33, having anupwardly-extending stern 35, and the sleeve 26, having the longitudinalchannel 29, and beveledportion 30, providing a flaring opening leadingto the channel, substantially as described.

18. The combination of the carrier-elevator it 33, having anupwardly-extending stem .35

and projecting arm 34, the lever 47, pivoted to the arm, the sleeve 26,having the longitudinal channel 29 and beveled, portion 30, and thetilting hinged forked arm 23, substantially as described.

19. The combination of the carrier-frame 55, having grooved wheels 56,pendent hook 57 and cheek-plates 58, and the T-bl-ock 63, prongs50,f0rmedwith reaiwardly-pi-ojeating having knife-edges 64,substantially as deteeth 51, substantially as described.

scribed.

20. The combination of the carrier-frame SAMUEL W. BARR. 5 55, theT-block 63, having knife-edges 64:, the Witnesses:

carrier-elevator 33, having projecting arm 34:, SAML. MARRIOTT,

the lever 47, and the hook 4:9, having curved R. B. BOON.

